Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
On a visit to the clinic, a client reports the onset of early symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should conduct a focused
assessment for:
1. Limited motion of joints.
2. Deformed joints of the hands.
3. Early morning stiffness.
4. Rheumatoid nodules. -
correct answer ✅3.
Initially, most clients with early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
complain of early morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting still for a
while. Later symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include limited joint
range of motion; deformed joints, especially of the hand; and
rheumatoid nodules.
2. A client with rheumatoid arthritis states, "I can't do my
household chores without becoming tired. My knees hurt
whenever I walk." Which nursing diagnosis would be most
appropriate?
1. Activity intolerance related to fatigue and pain.
2. Self-care deficit related to increasing joint pain.
3. Ineffective coping related to chronic pain.
,Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
4. Disturbed body image related to fatigue and joint pain. -
correct answer ✅1.
Based on the client's complaints, the most appropriate nursing
diagnosis would be Activity intolerance related to fatigue and pain.
Nursing interventions would focus on helping the client conserve
energy and decrease episodes of fatigue. Although the client may
develop a self-care deficit related to the activity intolerance and
increasing joint pain, the client is voicing concerns about household
chores and difficulty around the house and yard, not self-care
issues. Over time, the client may develop ineffective coping or body
image disturbance as the disorder becomes chronic with increasing
pain and fatigue.
Of the clients listed below, who is at risk for developing rheumatoid
arthritis (RA)? Select all that apply.
1. Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years.
2. Adults who have had an infectious disease with the Epstein-Barr
virus.
3. Adults that are of the male gender.
4. Adults who possess the genetic link, specifically HLA-DR4.
5. Adults who also have osteoarthritis. -
correct answer ✅1, 2, 4.
,Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects women three times more often
than men, between the ages of 20 and 55 years. Research has
determined that RA occurs in clients who have had infectious
disease, such as the Epstein-Barr virus. The genetic link, specifically
HLA-DR4, has been found in 65% of clients with RA. People with
osteoarthritis are not necessarily at risk for developing rheumatoid
arthritis.
A client is in the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the
following should the nurse identify as lowest priority in the plan of
care?
1. Relieving pain.
2. Preserving joint function.
3. Maintaining usual ways of accomplishing tasks.
4. Preventing joint deformity. -
correct answer ✅3.
Maintaining usual ways of accomplishing tasks would be the lowest
priority during the acute phase. Rather, the focus is on developing
less stressful ways of accomplishing routine tasks. Pain relief is a
high priority during the acute phase because pain is typically severe
and interferes with the client's ability to function. Preserving joint
function and preventing joint deformity are high priorities during
, Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
the acute phase to promote an optimal level of functioning and
reduce the risk of contractures.
The nurse teaches a client about heat and cold treatments to
manage arthritis pain. Which of the following client statements
indicates that the client still has a knowledge deficit?
1. "I can use heat and cold as often as I want."
2. "With heat, I should apply it for no longer than 20 minutes at a
time."
3. "Heat-producing liniments can be used with other heat devices."
4. "Ten to 15 minutes per application is the maximum time for cold
applications." -
correct answer ✅3.
Heat-producing liniment can produce a burn if used with other heat
devices that could intensify the heat reaction. Heat and cold can be
used as often as the client desires. However, each application of
heat should not exceed 20 minutes, and each application of cold
should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes. Application for longer periods
results in the opposite of the intended effect: vasoconstriction
instead of vasodilation with heat, and vasodilation instead of
vasoconstriction with cold.
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
On a visit to the clinic, a client reports the onset of early symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should conduct a focused
assessment for:
1. Limited motion of joints.
2. Deformed joints of the hands.
3. Early morning stiffness.
4. Rheumatoid nodules. -
correct answer ✅3.
Initially, most clients with early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
complain of early morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting still for a
while. Later symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include limited joint
range of motion; deformed joints, especially of the hand; and
rheumatoid nodules.
2. A client with rheumatoid arthritis states, "I can't do my
household chores without becoming tired. My knees hurt
whenever I walk." Which nursing diagnosis would be most
appropriate?
1. Activity intolerance related to fatigue and pain.
2. Self-care deficit related to increasing joint pain.
3. Ineffective coping related to chronic pain.
,Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
4. Disturbed body image related to fatigue and joint pain. -
correct answer ✅1.
Based on the client's complaints, the most appropriate nursing
diagnosis would be Activity intolerance related to fatigue and pain.
Nursing interventions would focus on helping the client conserve
energy and decrease episodes of fatigue. Although the client may
develop a self-care deficit related to the activity intolerance and
increasing joint pain, the client is voicing concerns about household
chores and difficulty around the house and yard, not self-care
issues. Over time, the client may develop ineffective coping or body
image disturbance as the disorder becomes chronic with increasing
pain and fatigue.
Of the clients listed below, who is at risk for developing rheumatoid
arthritis (RA)? Select all that apply.
1. Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years.
2. Adults who have had an infectious disease with the Epstein-Barr
virus.
3. Adults that are of the male gender.
4. Adults who possess the genetic link, specifically HLA-DR4.
5. Adults who also have osteoarthritis. -
correct answer ✅1, 2, 4.
,Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects women three times more often
than men, between the ages of 20 and 55 years. Research has
determined that RA occurs in clients who have had infectious
disease, such as the Epstein-Barr virus. The genetic link, specifically
HLA-DR4, has been found in 65% of clients with RA. People with
osteoarthritis are not necessarily at risk for developing rheumatoid
arthritis.
A client is in the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the
following should the nurse identify as lowest priority in the plan of
care?
1. Relieving pain.
2. Preserving joint function.
3. Maintaining usual ways of accomplishing tasks.
4. Preventing joint deformity. -
correct answer ✅3.
Maintaining usual ways of accomplishing tasks would be the lowest
priority during the acute phase. Rather, the focus is on developing
less stressful ways of accomplishing routine tasks. Pain relief is a
high priority during the acute phase because pain is typically severe
and interferes with the client's ability to function. Preserving joint
function and preventing joint deformity are high priorities during
, Musculoskeletal Saunders NCLEX
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
the acute phase to promote an optimal level of functioning and
reduce the risk of contractures.
The nurse teaches a client about heat and cold treatments to
manage arthritis pain. Which of the following client statements
indicates that the client still has a knowledge deficit?
1. "I can use heat and cold as often as I want."
2. "With heat, I should apply it for no longer than 20 minutes at a
time."
3. "Heat-producing liniments can be used with other heat devices."
4. "Ten to 15 minutes per application is the maximum time for cold
applications." -
correct answer ✅3.
Heat-producing liniment can produce a burn if used with other heat
devices that could intensify the heat reaction. Heat and cold can be
used as often as the client desires. However, each application of
heat should not exceed 20 minutes, and each application of cold
should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes. Application for longer periods
results in the opposite of the intended effect: vasoconstriction
instead of vasodilation with heat, and vasodilation instead of
vasoconstriction with cold.
